Posts Tagged ‘healthy holiday tips’

2016 is the Year of the Red Fire Monkey, a lot of people has adapted the tradition and joins the celebration of Chinese New Year. It has been the tradition of the Chinese to observe the happy event – Lunar New Year. They gather as family and enjoy their sumptuous dinner. Plus they also practice hundreds of customs to bring good luck for the coming year. Everyone can enjoy the Chinese New Year, and, of course, expect lots of food and drinks. So how do you stay fit and healthy with all the chow you’ll encounter?

Here the easy tips to stay fit in celebrating the Year of the Red Fire Monkey

Don’t Skip Your Breakfast – Planning to work-out your appetite for dinner? Then you should avoid skipping your breakfast. Not having your meals in the morning can get you to binge on more food later in the day, which means more unwanted calories. So eat a reasonably sized breakfast with lots of proteins and healthy fats. It will make you feel fuller and stop your urge from eating lots of food.

Remember To Hydrate – Some Chinese dishes you’ll be eating may have lots of salt and MSG, its best to keep yourself well hydrated. Avoid sodas and sugary drinks and, of course, drinks lots of water. Having water also keeps you body temperature moderate. Also, if you’re having mandarin oranges, keep it in moderation, having too much citrus juice can cause heartburns.

Control Your Snacks – Ba Kwa (a Chinese version of a jerky) or pineapple tarts may be flowing and of course, nobody can resist these delicious goodies. Don’t deprive yourself; rather take only one or two pieces per snack. The trick is taking them in smaller bites to make them last longer. Try to talk with others during your celebration of Chinese New Year, it’s also a good way to converse, and help you stop from munching plenty of snacks.

Choose Dishes With Lots of Protein – Dishes with high protein content helps manages your hunger and, of course, controls your appetite. A meal with loads of protein helps keep you satisfied better. This only means you won’t consume more unwanted calories. Much on steamed chicken, lean pork, beef, eggs or seafood. These dishes are packed with protein for your healthy celebration.

Drink Alcohol Moderately – Beer and liquor are part of the Chinese New Year celebration and of course, they have lots of calories. Abstain from drinking too much. You can politely decline drinks being served to you. Choose healthier alternatives and drink moderately. Also, remember to avoid sodas and sugar-filled drinks.

Eat Lots of Fiber – We may seem to ignore fiber in our diet. If you want to manage your weight this Chinese New Year, then have more fiber-rich food. It keeps you feeling full, so you’re less likely to binge. Fill your plates with long beans, carrots, kai lan (Chinese broccoli) and other fiber-rich vegetables.

Exercise Often – It’s the Chinese New Year, it’s a time for you to get active and keep fit. You don’t need lots of time to exercise. You can just do a 10-minute circuit. It includes 10 repetitions of star jumps, push-ups, squats, burpees and 20 repetitions of lunges.

Use Smaller Plates – Researches have found having smaller plates for your meals helps in reducing your consumption. People tend to grab less food if they have small plates; therefore, you’re most likely to eat less.

Read Food Labels – This way you will know what the ingredients are. Choose food with more fiber, protein, and calcium. Avoid the one’s with lots of salt, sugar and fat.

Christmas holiday is fast approaching. A lot of us are already so looking forward to the numerous parties, holiday events, vacations, and family reunions that will take place this season. While most of us are anticipating this Holiday Season with a lot of preparation, it can’t be denied that deep down inside us, there’s a feeling lurking upon us, that feeling of fear in acquiring excess weight again due to food abundance that’s being served on the table.

Ever since we started our fast metabolism diet journey, we learn how to differentiate healthy and unhealthy foods. We become aware of its roles in healing our metabolism and promoting our overall health and well-being. And the good outcome is we consciously practice sticking to the fast metabolism diet plan. However, the mouthwatering foods served on the table during this season are completely unavoidable. These irresistible foods weaken our resistance and trigger our cravings and temptations. How do we overcome this challenge this Holiday season?

Fortunately, the solution to this dilemma is within reach. The only way to battle with foods is by eating the right foods. Remember, foods heal our metabolism and our body. So back to basics, we just have to choose the foods carefully.

We’ve listed down these healthy superfoods that you can pack and munch to minimize eating unhealthy foods this holiday season.

1. Fruits

You can never go wrong with fruits! Fruits usually sate your sugar cravings. Before attending to a party, pack a low-glycemic fruits like cranberries, apples, pears, and grapefruit to supply your body with enough sugar it needed without worrying of spiking up your blood sugar. By the time you attend the party, you won’t be craving to sugar anymore.

2. Clean Proteins

As you attend the party, it is important that you feed yourself first with protein foods. It’s because Protein packed foods will keep you full thus reduces your chance of eating all the foods served on the table. Focus on eating Turkey, eggs, and tuna recipes in the party. Of course, you can also pack some nitrate-free deli meat snacks like turkey jerky. You can munch them if you’re feeling hungry.

3. Nuts and Seeds.
Alternatively, you can also pack nuts and seeds. These healthy fats are rich with omega-3 that is good for your heart and keeps your blood sugar stable. Fat based snacks such as almonds, cashew seeds, and nuts decrease your temptation to unhealthy indulgence.

4. Sweet Potatoes

If you are ready to take that delicious pasta, lasagna, and other delectable grains served on the table, you better think twice! Before you dig in to these type of foods, seek out for sweet potatoes dishes first! Try out any sweet potato recipes that you prepare. Sweet potatoes are a nutritional powerhouse of beta-carotene, vitamin C. and fiber. Sweet potatoes will fill in your cravings for carbs.

5. Veggies

If there are veggie dishes served on the table, then you are one lucky dieter! Go enjoy them! Veggies are a great source of nutrients, anti-oxidants and vitamins that are essential to our our overall well-being. If you can’t find well prepared veggies in the feast, you can always opt for a veggie salad as your side dish if you still want to eat other dishes.

With these 5 healthy superfoods, you will be at ease that the foods you eat on parties and events will not ruin your weight loss goals. You are able to enjoy eating all the foods served on the table while checking your portions. Healthy eating is all about mindful eating by choosing the right foods and in moderation.

By being a conscious eater, you can flaunt your body on parties without worrying the love handles while wearing bodycon dress. Regardless, be confident with your weight, you are on the road in reaching your life long goals.